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A Surgical Walk-Through: Wrist Arthroscopy

Wrist arthroscopy is a surgical procedure carried out on the wrist after hurting it due to a fall or twisting it. In such a case, there will be a pain in the wrist or a clicking sound accompanied by swelling indicating some trauma to the wrist.

Wrist arthroscopy is used to see the joint while also repairing any damage sustained to the wrist. The wrist comprises of eight bones with ligaments pertaining to each one. The surgeon will insert an arthroscope, a fiber optic instrument, into a small incision at the write. Through this scope, various issues like fractures, ganglion cysts, and ligament tears can be identified and treated.

Wrist Arthroscopy surgeons in Bangalore or anywhere else will make incisions in specific locations near the wrist known as radiocarpal portals which give the surgeon access to the wrist. The arthroscope is pushed through the incision and houses a light, camera and lens that allows it to project three-dimensional images onto a monitor.

Once the surgeon identifies what the issue is, she will use a set of instruments at the end of the scope that includes forceps, knives, and shavers to fix whatever issue is plaguing the wrist.

Arthroscopy for diagnosis

Wrist arthroscopy is carried out when the cause of the pain or discomfort is not known, or if there is a chronic pain in the wrist. Your orthopaedic surgeon will conduct a few tests before recommending an arthroscopy. These range from a simple physical exam and taking your medical history to ordering imaging tests like MRI and X-ray.

Once your doctor decides that an arthroscopy is necessary, you will have your surgery date fixed. The surgery can be conducted with only local anaesthesia. Once the surgery is complete, the incisions will be closed off with stitches.

Arthroscopy for surgery

Arthroscopic treatment for the wrist can be used to resolve a number of issues. Some of them include:

Chronic wrist pain: Arthroscopy is used to determine the cause of wrist pain that has not been diagnosed through other diagnostic tools. Once the cause has been determined, it can be treated arthroscopically as well.

Fractures: Sometimes, when there is a fracture of the wrist, small shards of bones will still be present in the region. Arthroscopic surgery can remove the shards and align the bones of the wrist.

Ganglion cysts: A ganglion cyst usually grows between two bones of the wrist which have a stalk between them. This stalk can be removed arthroscopically to reduce the chances of a ganglion returning.

Ligament tears: The ligaments of the wrist usually get damaged due to some injury. In case of a tear, the best option is to treat is arthroscopically.

Carpal tunnel: This is a painful condition with pressure on a nerve that runs through the wrist. This condition can be corrected using wrist arthroscopy.

Recovery

The wrist will have to be kept wrapped up and elevated for the first two or three days after the surgery. You can also ice it to help reduce the swelling. Ask your doctor to prescribe pain medications to relieve excessive pain.

You can visit PSTakeCare to learn about the best arthroscopy surgeons. The platform allows you compare hospitals as well as the cost of wrist arthroscopy surgery in Bangalore hospitals. Once you find a surgeon and hospital you are comfortable with, you can use the same service to make an appointment.